Sanford Heisler Sharp Settles Wage Claims Against Google And Urpan Technologies For $5.5 Million

SAN JOSE, Calif., July 31, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Sanford Heisler Sharp oversaw the distribution of notice last Friday to 795 Google recruiters and sourcers of a $5.5 Million settlement for claims of unpaid overtime wages. Subject to final approval by the Court, all settlement class members will receive a share in the settlement, without having to take any further action.

The case was initiated in January 2016 by Tymuoi Ha, a former contract sourcer who worked at Google's headquarters in Mountain View, California. After the case was filed, several other former contract recruiters joined Ha as plaintiffs.

"This settlement is a fantastic result for the class, and one that was only reached due to the tenacity of Ms. Ha and her co-plaintiffs," said Michael Palmer, Sanford Heisler Sharp partner and lead counsel for the plaintiffs. "Their courage and willingness to come forward on behalf of a class of individuals who have little protections in the workplace was inspiring."

In the lawsuit, the plaintiffs alleged that in order to meet performance metrics, contract recruiters and sourcers were required to work significant overtime; however, Google limited the amount of overtime the contract workers were permitted to report.  As a result, the plaintiffs alleged that they and other contract workers were denied compensation for all overtime worked.  The lawsuit named as defendants Google Inc. and Urpan Technologies, Inc., one of several staffing agencies with whom Google works.  Google and Urpan have vigorously disputed the claims and denied any liability or wrongdoing.

After exchanging thousands of pages of documents and retaining experts who examined millions of time-stamp entries, the parties participated in mediation with Mark S. Rudy, a highly experienced class action mediator. A deal was formally reached on May 23, 2017.

On June 20, 2017, the California Superior Court preliminarily approved the settlement, without ruling on the merits of plaintiffs' claims.  The Court found that the average recovery to class members was "substantial," especially considering the short length of time most class members worked and the challenges presented in off-the-clock cases.

The plaintiffs and class members are represented in the matter by Michael D. Palmer and Xinying Valerian of Sanford Heisler Sharp, LLP, and Dayna Chmelka of Gates, O'Doherty, Gonter & Guy LLP.

"The settlement is an excellent result on behalf of hard-working Americans who deserve the protection of this nation's overtime laws," said David Sanford, Chairman of Sanford Heisler Sharp. "I am proud of our firm for doing this work and I am especially proud of the individuals, led by Ms. Ha, who brought this case."

About Sanford Heisler Sharp, LLP

Sanford Heisler Sharp, LLP is a public interest class-action litigation law firm with offices in New York, Washington, D.C, Nashville, San Francisco and San Diego.  Our attorneys have graduated from the nation's top law schools, clerked for judges throughout the United States, and amassed extensive experience litigating cases that have earned over one billion dollars for our clients.

The Firm specializes in civil rights and general public interest cases, representing plaintiffs with employment discrimination, labor and wage violations, predatory lending, whistleblower, consumer fraud, and other claims. Along with a focus on class actions, the firm also represents individuals and has achieved particular success in the representation of executives and attorneys in employment disputes. For more information go to http://www.sanfordheisler.com/ or call 202 499-5200 or email [email protected]. For the latest news visit our newsroom or follow us on Twitter at @sanfordheisler

SOURCE Sanford Heisler Sharp, LLP